Hezbollah's main arms supplier was not Iran, but Russia – Haaretz investigation

A look at cooperation between Russia and Hezbollah in recent years reveals a new and troubling picture. Russian weapons turned out to be the main source of weapons for the Lebanese Shiite terrorist organization, and not Iran, as was usually “assumed”.

Israeli newspaper journalists Haaretz after a thorough analysis of the captured Hezbollah weapons depots in southern Lebanon, we came to the conclusion (article dated December 8, 2024) that Russia was the main supplier of weapons for Hezbollah terrorists.

The discovery sheds light on previously unknown aspects of the relationship between Russia and armed groups in the Middle East, as well as the role Russia plays in the geopolitical game of the region.

Exposure: weapons from Russia

After the start of the IDF ground operation in southern Lebanon, Israeli fighters discovered a large number of Russian-made weapons in Hezbollah warehouses. These data are confirmed by a number of American sources, including an article in The Wall Street Journalwhich mentions that 60-70% of the weapons found during the operation were Russian-made. According to the Israeli military, these weapons were delivered through Syria and included the latest models such as Kornet, Igla and Pantsir missiles. These missiles cannot be neutralized by Israeli missile defense systems, which poses a real threat to Israel.

The role of Syria as a supply channel

Russia used the Syrian port of Tartus as a safe route for arms supplies to Lebanon. While Israeli troops were actively destroying Iranian arms convoys heading through Iraq to Syria, Russian weapons continued to fall into the hands of Hezbollah. These weapons were officially intended for the Syrian army, but Hezbollah militants had direct access to weapons depots in Syria, writes Haaretz. This supply channel has proven important in strengthening Hezbollah's position on the border with Israel.

Israeli politics: between friendship with Putin and the threat from Hezbollah

Contrary to information about Russian support for Hezbollah, Israeli authorities (or someone in the Israeli government – ed.) continued to maintain close ties with the Kremlin.

In 2015, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Haaretz writes, welcomed Russian military intervention in Syria, which, in his opinion, “strengthened Israel’s strategic position in the region.” However, information about military cooperation between Russia and Hezbollah, which became known back in 2016, did not change the relationship between Israel and Russia.

The Daily Beast in 2016 reported close cooperation between the Russian military and Hezbollah commanders in Syria. As it turned out, the militants received weapons, including tactical missiles, laser-guided missiles and anti-tank missiles, without any restrictions on use. These missiles were often directed against Israel, and Russia did not impose any conditions on their use.

Russia and Hezbollah: what does this mean for Israel?

For Israel, the discovery of Russian arms supplies to Hezbollah came as a “big surprise,” Haaretz writes. Although Israel and Russia have maintained cooperation, and Putin has not been particularly inclined to intervene in the conflict with Hezbollah, the fact that sophisticated weapons are being supplied to an organization opposed to Israel is a cause for concern.

The process of military support for the Hezbollah group increases geopolitical tension in the Middle East. Israel finds itself in a difficult situation: on the one hand, Russia is “an important partner in resolving the Syrian issue” (hmm… what is this already? – ed.) on the other hand, its weapons are used against Israel, which jeopardizes the country's national security.

Political reaction in Israel

Against the backdrop of information about close cooperation between Russia and Hezbollah, Israeli media continued to support the version that the organization primarily uses Iranian weapons, writes Haaretz. This line has been maintained despite new evidence, leading many experts to question the “impact of foreign policy on coverage of a real threat.”

The situation changed dramatically on October 7, 2023, when Russia almost openly supported the Hamas attack on Israel. This event undermined Israel's trust in Russia and forced it to reconsider its geopolitical positions. A host of Israeli experts argue that the time has come for Israel to take a tougher look at its relationship with Moscow and deal with the threat posed by Kremlin allies such as Hezbollah.

Impact on relations between Israel and Ukraine

Relations between Israel and Ukraine are also affected by this conflict. Ukraine, like Israel, faces the Russian threat and has its own interests in this complex geopolitical context. All these developments affect the interaction between the two countries, creating additional pressure on Israel to strengthen its position in the fight against terrorist groups supported by Russia.

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